The High School of Dundee is delighted to have its iconic city centre Pillars illuminated following an amazing donation.
The High School of Dundee Foundation received a very generous donation expressly for the installation of LED lighting for the Pillars and front façade of the school, enabling replacement of the previous provision with lights which are much more cost and energy efficient.
The new lighting is being provided by the generous support of Insights, The Lothian Family and The High School of Dundee Foundation, to whom we are hugely indebted.
Donations from our supporters over the last few years have also enabled the School to significantly increase the Bursary Fund and General Fund. In addition, specific donations have facilitated the provision of new seating in the back playground, the purchase of new musical instruments, the creation of a robotics programme to enhance STEM learning within the School. Through other generous donations, we have also been able to initiate concept designs for our playground, and new equipment and materials for Drama, Art, the Pipe Band, Sport, Computing Science, Health & Food Technology, English, and History.
A special event to which all parents, staff, pupils, supporters and friends of the School were invited, was held last night to mark the switch-on, and to thank the School’s community of donors and supporters, without whose help all of these wonderful enhancements would not have been possible.
The evening began with a performance from the Pipe Band on the Pillars with the new LED lighting creating a fitting backdrop to set the scene. A pupil-devised programme of music and drama then followed in Trinity Hall which included readings, and performances by the Senior Cantabile, Fiddle Orchestra, Drama pupils and a soloist. Guests then headed back to the Pillars to the sounds of a lone piper to conclude the event.
High School of Dundee Rector, Lise Hudson, said, “These fantastic new lights will allow us to take our place alongside our neighbours in showcasing our iconic Main Building as part of the community at the heart of the city.
“Watching our pupils perform using the Pillars as a stage was truly inspiring and offered a real glimpse of how we will be able to use this space, right in the centre of our city, going forwards.”
Chair of the School’s Foundation, Sheena Leadbitter, said, “Tonight is our opportunity to thank the Lothian Family and Insights for their generous donation which has allowed us to install this cost and energy efficient lighting. Thank you must also go to all our donors in the wider school community for the many enhancements which they have made possible.”
Andy Lothian, CEO of Insights Group, said, “The Lothian family and Insights are delighted to support High School of Dundee to bring a little light and inspiration to our City.
“The Pillars light project will provide a more sustainable and cost-effective lighting solution for HSD. At a challenging time for humanity we hope it will also cheer the hearts of the people of our wonderful City. We hope that the Pillars Light Project will add to the community spirit that is so strong in Dundee, and help HSD play its part in that.”
